Grosse Ile (9-2) @ Battle Creek Pennfield (11-0) Saturday 1 pm: Pennfield enters the game as Champions of the Kalamazoo-Valley Conference and have qualified for the playoffs for 13 straight seasons. The storied program from the “Land of Cereal” has a .700 winning pct all time and own a 1991 State Championship. Grosse Ile enters the Regional after defeating two PSL teams after qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
The Panthers are flying high after defeating Lansing Sexton 14-6 in the District Final. Sexton had defeated Pennfield last season 47-14 in the District. The Panthers are led offensively by senior QB Nicolas Acton along with senior RB’s Nathan Wallace, Cole Whitney and Roy Herpin.
The Panther defense has only given up 90 points in 2011 and is led by LB Tyler Grimes, DL Josh Nicolaisen, and DE Levi Hamlin. The Panthers are extremely physical on defense and have been opportunistic on defense all season.
Grosse Ile will counter offensively with a diversified attack led by senior QB Rob White. The Red Devils boast two more playmakers in the backfield with senior RB Alex Kish and junior RB Jordan Nellenbach.
Defensively, the Islanders are led by LB Corey Groff who made seemingly every tackles in last week’s District Final win over Detroit Douglass. A healthy Tyler Judd in the defensive secondary should help keep the Panther passing game off balance.
This should be an exciting game in what will most likely be a sold out venue at Pennfield. The Panthers uniforms and helmets match those of metro Detroit’s famed Farmington Hills Harrison and that may not be a good thing for the Red Devils. Look for this to be a fun and entertaining game between two solid teams. Pennfield is eyeing an undefeated season but may have benefited last week with Sexton’s QB and all everything Willie Dillard not playing. I’m calling the upset here. Pick: Grosse Ile 28 Pennfield 27
GI bus is on the way to the cereal city for Regional fireworks.
As one of my favorite all time announcing spoofs goes (courtesy of Mr Michael Irvin): "can you feel the LEKTICITY in the AIR"
HERE WE GO GI, HERE WE GO!!!!
This bc pennfield team is clearly the favorite but they are overrated. They're 9-0 in a conference in which they bully. They beat two 6-3 regular season record teams… one in which didn't have their star quarterback. Rob White and Alex Kish are going to take over this game. Let's take it to em!
HERE WE GO GI, HERE WE GO!
GI upset is both possible and probable….I agree that Pennfield has not seen an offense like GI and it will give them fits. GI will be opportunistic with either air or ground assault…depending on whats there.
Deeee will be the key again like its been all season. O is primary in coach B philosophy, but that hasn't deterred a significant D improvement and KEY to this years success. Key again Saturday.
Koolaid is Kool;
Soarin' Strawberry Lemonade for everyone!!!!
SITOFN
That was so funny that I forgot to laugh. Quit getting high on your own supply.
Anything can happen, as proven by strange win last week over Douglas. If GI defense can keep White, Kish & Nelly on the field….
There is no way…
I like that pick Chris, I would love to see GI pull an upset against an undeafted Pennfield. I picked them to win the league, but a trip to the semifinals instead would be great. (I must have been drinking the SITOFN koolaid before the year.) Robbie White is a great player, and I think he will show up in the big game with all the experience hes gotten the past four years. Should be a great game.
Represent the league well!
Mr. HuronLeagueMan